KATHMANDU, Dec 4: CPN-UML Vice-Chair Surendra Prasad Pandey has clearly stated that he will support Senior Vice-Chair Ishwar Pokhrel for the party chairmanship in the upcoming general convention.
Speaking with Nagarik Frontline on Wednesday, Pandey described Pokhrel’s bid for the chairmanship as natural and confirmed his backing.
Ishwar Pokhrel submits policy proposal for UML General Conventi...
Pandey said it was good that Pokhrel was claiming the chairmanship and added that he had delayed his announcement. “I support him, as I have in the past,” Pandey said. “I would say—he delayed his claim. A person who has already served two terms as general secretary and as senior vice-chair should have said earlier, ‘I am ready for the role; I have proven my capability.’”
He further argued that more claims and aspirations for leadership within the party expand the democratic space. “Naturally, when leaders and party workers express leadership ambitions, it broadens the democratic space within the party,” he said. “What would happen if no one claimed it? Making a claim is a good thing.”
While current party chairman KP Sharma Oli is widely expected to be re-elected in the upcoming convention, Vice-Chair Pandey openly expressed his support for Senior Vice-Chair Pokhrel.
